Redskins end drought

Sunday

Clinton claims first district title since 1996 with 11-5 victory over Addison in championship game.

The Clinton High School team had already compiled a record-setting season entering the district at Hudson High School.

On Saturday, the Redskins validated their season, adding a district championship to a league title and a school record for victories.

Clinton (31-5) won its first district crown since 1996 with an 11-5 victory against Addison in the championship game. The Redskins reached the final with a hard-fought 4-1 victory against host Hudson.

Addison reached the title game by defeating Madison, 16-9.

“If we wouldn’t have won the district, it would have been a disappointment,” Clinton coach Jim Roberts said. “We won the league, but I think winning the district validates the fact that we play a tough enough schedule.”

In the title game, Clinton started strong, scoring four runs in the first inning, and had to hang on as Addison made a comeback attempt.

Junior Stephen Cooley earned the win on the mound against Addison, going 5 2/3 innings and allowing five runs on eight hits, while none of the runs were earned. Cooley walked two and struck out nine before being pulled in the sixth inning for Stefan Spurlock.

Spurlock was able to get out of a jam, as Addison had cut its deficit to 7-5 and had the tying run on base.

Spurlock recorded the final out of the inning, and closed the game with a perfect seventh, throwing just five pitches to record the four outs.

“We put the pressure on them early, and after we got off to that early lead we just kind of sat on it,” Roberts said. “Once they (Addison) get a little momentum, it’s hard to stop them.”

Addison’s Scott Williams took the loss on the mound, striking out four in 5 1/3 innings. Williams also walked seven batters in the game.

Clinton’s Brandon Brewer led the offense, going 2-for-2 with two RBIs, while Cooley added a two-RBI double. Michael Bohnett and Jesse Sexton each added a hit and an RBI, while Travis Houghton had a hit and a run scored.

Brandon Douglass led the Panthers, going 2-for-4 with a double and two RBIs, while William Snead was 2-for-4.

“We are definitely a team that shows a lot of hustle and effort,” Addison coach Ryan Tripp said. “I just wish we could have got off to a better start. They (Clinton) really took advantage of all of our walks.”

In Clinton’s semifinal win against Hudson, junior Rylie Robinson improved his record to 11-0 with a complete-game victory. Robinson struck out nine and did not walk a batter in the win.

The game was a classic pitchers’ duel, as Hudson’s Chris Aguirre also went the distance, striking out seven without walking a batter.

Hudson scored a run in the second inning, but Clinton responded with two runs in the third. The Redskins tied the game with a solo home run by Brewer, which was followed by a triple from Houghton. Bohnett knocked in Houghton to give Clinton a 2-1 lead.

The Redskins added single runs in the fourth and fifth innings, while Hudson stranded a pair of runners in the seventh as Clinton hung on for the victory.

Clinton’s Hayden Craig was 2-for-3 with a double, while Sexton and Robinson each added a hit.

“It has been a long time coming and this is a great group of kids,” Roberts said. “We have a couple of senior leaders that really led us and were the difference in that first game.”

Hudson was led by Alex Middleton, who finished 2-for-3 with a run scored. Aguirre had a double, while Kyle Benschoter, Luke Milligan and Nathaniel Osborne all added a hit.

In the other semifinal, Addison’s Williams earned the pitching victory against Madison. Williams threw just one inning, but a seven-run inning by the offense allowed him to pick up the win.

Addison was led by Snead and Trent Corbin, who each went 4-for-5 with three RBIs. Derek Bloomer was 3-for-6 with a double, while Douglass and Williams each added two hits.

Madison’s Derek Harrington suffered the loss, going 1 2/3 innings and allowing seven runs on four hits. Harrington didn’t allow an earned run, and also added a 2-for-4 day at the plate.
Jake Pabolo was 2-for-2 with four RBIs, while Travis Ybarra was 2-for-5.

Clinton will next compete in the regional, which it hosts. The Redskins will face Jackson Lumen Christi in their semifinal matchup.

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